Clandestine Meth Testing Laboratory

LA Testing provides analytical services, sampling supplies and test kits to identify hazardous residues left in properties that were once used as drug labs

South Pasadena, CA, January 17th, 2018

Recently, the Calaveras Enterprise reported that SWAT members from the Calaveras County Sheriff’s Office raided a home in the small town of West Point, California. The raid took place after a search warrant was obtained to enter the property that was suspected of being used as a clandestine methamphetamine (meth) laboratory.

Cases like this, where a home is used to produce meth, have been taking place for decades across California. Over the years, countless homes, apartments and businesses have been used for the illegal production of meth. While some are discovered by authorities and make the news, many others are never found. Future owners or tenants of these homes and businesses that were once used to produce meth could encounter a myriad of hazards left by chemical residues.

“The production of meth typically leaves behind toxic residues on surfaces,” said Michael Chapman, Laboratory Manager at LA Testing’s Huntington Beach facility. “These chemical residues, from the mixture of hazardous compounds used and stored in these structures, may include flammable and volatile solvents such as methanol, ether, benzene, methylene chloride and trichloroethane. Muriatic acid, sodium hydroxide and ammonia may also be present. All of these compounds can contaminate surfaces or materials such as carpeting, wallboard, ceiling tiles, furniture and fabrics that absorb spilled or vaporized chemicals. These chemical remnants can later be emitted as hazardous gases back into the air or be a potential hazard when touched.”

To identify hazardous residues left by clandestine meth laboratories, LA Testing offers comprehensive analytical services, sampling supplies and even an easy-to-use test kit that can be accessed at www.EMSLTestKits.com.

LA Testing is California’s leading laboratory for indoor air quality testing of asbestos, mold, lead, VOCs, formaldehyde, soot, char, ash and smoke damage, particulates and other chemicals. In addition, LA Testing offers a full range of air sampling and investigative equipment to professionals and the general public. LA Testing maintains an extensive list of accreditations including: AIHA LAP LLC., AIHA ELLAP, AIHA EMLAP and AIHA IHLAP, CDC Elite, NVLAP, State of California, State of Hawaii Department of Health and other states. LA Testing, along with the EMSL Analytical, Inc. network, has multiple laboratories throughout California including South Pasadena, Huntington Beach, San Leandro and San Diego.